Starting Saturday, Aug. 29, music will take over Dunne Park.
Called “Music in the Park,” the free concert will take place for the first time this Saturday in the neighborhood park from 4-6 p.m., featuring two bands: David Huboi and the Architecturals and Mr. O’s Jazz Band. Additional concerts in Dunne Park will take place on Sept. 26 and Oct. 24, with the bands chosen and scheduled by Mr. O’s Academy.
The event came out of a collaborative effort between Greg Harvey, the owner of the Joshua Inn Bed and Breakfast, and Joe and Francie Ostenson of Mr. O’s Academy of Music. “We wanted to see more things done at Dunne, and bring families out there,” says Harvey. “I got into contact with Joe to see if they would be interested in playing music in the park, in order to promote art and the park.”
After responding to the idea, Harvey and Ostenson met with Mary Paxton, the program manager for the city’s successor agency of Developmental Services (the former Redevelopment Agency).
“I arranged a meeting with Tina Garza of the recreation department, and helped them get an assembly permit and accommodate their vision for the event,” Paxton says. “It sounded like a very fun and family oriented thing to do.”
While this free concert event will take a hiatus during the winter and holidays, Harvey hopes the concerts can continue in the spring, and will become a regular and recurring feature of the community. “I really just want to get the word out about this event. I want to continue in the spring and go till October- keep it the last Saturday of every month- and get it known and routine,” Harvey says.
As for the concert’s future, Garza said she has high hopes of expansion. “I really am hoping to see more activity because of the music, and eventually have vendors at the concerts,” she says.
Above all, though, the team behind the concert hopes it brings the community together.
“I want to get families to come with blankets, lawn chairs; get them to come out and have a picnic and enjoy the music,” Harvey says.
“I think these concerts will really build a sense of community and place making, which is important anywhere,” Paxton says.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a low back chair, picnic, and blanket.